Weak Performing Arts and Music Preview

With the holidays encroaching, we understand that so little can get done in December that we must get it all done in November instead. That said, so much is going on that in merely stopping to tell you about some of them, I'm missing out on countless others. Clearly, an uncharacteristic brevity is the plain solution. Here's a shot at the next few days; I'll try to catch up with you before this listing runs out.

Wednesday, November 16th

-- A big night of spoken word starts 9 pm tonight at Rime (1130 Commercial Drive), a venue better known for its Zula-fostered nightly menu of esoteric and ethnic musics otherwise lacking supportive venues in this town. (For top 40 DJs, on the other hand, this city seems to be their oyster. Still, pity them -- they have to listen to top 40 every night.) Curiously, for these poets Vancouver is just a detour on their way to the big ticket -- the Poetry Gabriola festival on our cosmopolitan neighbour Gabriola Island. Stopping in gives you a chance to hear poets from Montreal (Ian Ferrier, Fortner Anderson), Brooklyn (Corey Frost), the Netherlands (Tsjebbe Hettinga), exotic Gabriola Island (Hilary Peach and Alex Varty with some musical contributions) and Vancouver itself, representing with its golden children of spoken word Kedrick "Verbomotorhead" James and R.C. "Monkey Pudding" Weslowsky!

-- For a different kind of "spoken word", you might instead choose to swing by the Lamplighter Pub (210 Abbott Street) at 7 pm for the "Get Yours" all-candidates debate hosted by Caitlin Padgett. Who precisely will turn out to weigh in hasn't been sufficiently confirmed to satisfy lazy journalists as of press time, but following the debate live music is expected (~9 pm) from Ghettoblaster, DJ BuzyB and the Kitchen. The debate is free, but for those whose movement has less to do with politics and more to do with a deep house groove, entry after 9 pm will be $5.

Thursday, November 17th

-- Starting at 9:30 pm Jeff Younger hosts the second instalment of Vancouver's newest improvised music night, Alternative Worlds, expected to run the third Thursday of every month at the Butchershop Floor (195 E. 26th at Main). Improvised music being what it is, there's only so much we can tell you about what to expect, but on deck will be Mike Magnusson handling the percussion and not just Jeff but also special guest Ron Samworth pairing off on guitar and electronics. The music made tonight will never be heard again! That cosmic uniqueness will run you $5.

Friday, November 18th

-- Starting tonight, the East Side Culture Crawl is in effect all weekend long at various times and places throughout the (duh) East Side.

-- Something to check out perhaps while crawling: Increase the Peace at Open Studios (252 East 1st Avenue), a hip-hop performance the Bus Riders Union are throwing in response to the heat the SkyCops will soon be packing. A stellar crew awaits you from 8 pm on: Kinnie Starr, Curtis Clearsky, Skeena Reece, Corvid, T.t., Busy Bee, Rupinder Sidhu, DJ Su Commandante, Rapture Rising, Roh Nikju, Jay J, Young Chris, and members of In.Stead. By donation.